How did you first find out about bariatric surgery and what were your initial impressions of it?

Surfing the web and at first I thought "that is mightly risky" but the more I read the more I realized I was already living a pretty risky lifestyle by being more than a 100 pounds overweight too!

Describe your experience with getting insurance approval for surgery. What advice, if any, do you have for other people in this stage?

I had Blue Choice insurance and once the doctor sent in the proper paperwork (I checked on this about 10 days before my surgery was scheduled and they hadn't gotten the "summary" yet)..I called the dr. and nudged her and she sent it right in. They sent in our paperwork on Friday March 26th and I had approval on Monday the 29th for my April 5th surgery. My sister on the other hand had BC/BS of Central NY and her approval went in the same day as mine and came back April 2nd. 3 days before surgery!!! that was hair raising. When I went to the doctor initailly I had a list of all the diets, programs, and excercise memberships I'd had in the past several years. I also wrote down my family history both sides and what health issues they had that I was at risk for if I didn't lose weight soon! That all helped a lot.

What was your first visit with your surgeon like? How can people get the most out of this meeting?

I saw him on 2/3/04, he told me a little bit about what surgery entails for me the individual. My surgeon and another one in the same hospital holds a huge informational meeting and you must attend that before you ever see the surgeon. That meeting answers any questions you might have on a general basis. I really didn't learn much about the surgery because i'd already done TONS and years of reading on obesityhelp and other websites. Anyhow, my surgeon had a few questions for me too. Like "Will you be able to concentrate on taking care of yourself and taking the time to eat right with 7 small kids"? I went prepared with answers to anything i thought he might ask and that helped to not leave me stumped or grasping to answer. My surgeon is VERY personable and easy to talk to.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had appts. and everything set up two years ago and decided that I could lose it on Atkins. I had lost 36 pds. on there. I guess I jumped the gun because I never lost another pound and had since put it all back on. It was time. My kids are asking me when I'll go the amusement park with them and I always say when I'm thinner..and thinner hasn't ever gotten here. Someday they will be grown and gone. I want to make a difference now while I can. I'm also SO tired of being tired and hurting joints. People assume you are lazy when you are fat and I have always been very active. That hurts too.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided on the LAP-RNY because I Have two special needs girls. They have Cerebral Palsy and do not walk on their own. They are 3 and 4 and have to be carried everywhere. I cannot be out of commission for 8-10 weeks with an OPEN RNY. The RNY is the only surgery my surgeon does.

What fears did you have about having complications or even dying from from the surgery, and what would you tell other people having the same fears now?

Of course I worried that I would have complications or die but I am a born again christian and I believe God is in control of every aspect of my life. He knows when, where and how my time to go is. I only worried about leaving 7 young kids behind that never asked for me to have surgery. However, I did have serious complications. 3 days after my LAP RNY I had a bowel leak and had to go back in for emergency surgery to repair that. I was a very sick lady I must tell you and at that time I kept thinking "what have I done to myself"?? However, today 15 months out I'd do it again in a heart beat..complications and all. I am a new person and have a LIFE!

How did your family and friends react to your decision? Would you have communicated anything differently if you could now? How supportive were they after your surgery?

My family was GREAT! My oldest sister was the only one who thought I was out of my tree. However, she did come around after she saw me "melting"..ha! I didn't even lose all that fast. My mom came and stayed with me for 5 weeks after my surgery so that I wouldn't have to lift a thing. My husband took a weeks vacation and then went off with knee surgery and my older kids helped too! I couldn't have done it without them.

How did your employer/supervisor react to your decision? What did you tell him/her? How long were you out of work?

I'm a stay at home mom.

What was your stay in the hospital like? How long where you there? What things are most important to bring?

Well, After my LAP RNY I did nothing but sleep, gag and walk. My sister and I where roomies and we barely spoke. I was NOT doing well after surgery and she felt great. I HATE vanilla anything and that's what they brought me to eat my first "meal" . If I had to do it over again, i'd take crystal light because my hospital served diluted juice and it was with sugar so that's not a good thing. If you are having OPEN RNY please, please take a wooden spoon that you can throw away after you heal. When I had my second surgery going to the bathroom and wiping was a MAJOR issue. If you have your spoon you can wrap your toilet paper around it and use that as an arm extention. Or to wash myself. That had to be the one most important thing I had someone bring me. a book, bathrobe, and your own slippers are good too. You won't need much else.

Did you have any complications from the surgery? If so, how did you deal with them?

Yes, I had more than my fair share..the bowel leak after surgery and a second OPEN surgery. Then I had a pain in my calf that wouldn't go away. They did an ultrasound and foudn nothing at Highland but I went home and it continued to get worse adn worse so after a week I went to MY PCP and they found a blood clot in my left leg right near my knee. I went back into the hospital for 5 days on Lovinex shots and went home on coumadin (a blood thinner) for 6 months. I healed up and am doing great now. WALK< WALK< WALK>> I did but when I came home and was so sick and back into the hospital on the third day I was so sick I couldn't get up at all..I think that started the process and then one of the nurses didn't give me my lovinex shots for 2 days in the hospital. If you have questions or don't like the nurses answer..ASK someone else. Be a pain. Its your life. If I had to do it all over again. I would NOT have been in the hospital by myself. I'd have had a private room and someone from my family there with me at all times.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

I was SO excited. I wasn't nervous at all. Not even right before my surgery. I was so ready for a new life. I may have been more nervous if i'd known how bad things were going to get before they got better.

Describe your first few weeks home from the hospital. What should people expect from this period?

I'm not sure i"m a good one to answer this but I'll answer from my sister's perspective since she had the same surgery, same day as Myself and everything was normal for her. Expect to be very tired. She slept a LOT the first week home. Don't plan on having to do anything but walk, drink, and sleep. Don't return to work too soon either. You will fatigue faster. Even when you feel great on the outside remember your insides have been totally rerouted. You need time to heal!!

How far did you travel to have your surgery? (If far, how did this affect your aftercare?)

Only about an hour and a half. The ride home was rough..You can't imagine how many bumps there are in the highway you've never noticed before. LOL

Please describe in detail what things you could and couldn't eat in the weeks and months following surgery. What foods have been off limits? Please explain how your dietary tolerance changed week-by-week, and then month-by-month since surgery.

Ok. I'm going on my faulty memory here so I hope I have it right. Week ONE is clear liquids only. Week two, three and 4 are pureed (thru a strainer) 5-8 are soft and then slowly re introduce solids back into your diet. Fiber, red meats and sugar are NO NO's ..Eventually you can have red meat and fiber again after your pouch heals. I know everyones doctors are different. I tolerated red meat (other than hamburger) early compared to chicken which took me a long time. Chicken used to get "stuck" and I threw up a lot learning what I could tolerate. I strongly suggest Protein drinks. Whey stack is the one I tolerated best. to be honest, NOTHING tasted good for about 2 months. I had this terrible taste in my mouth all the time and one day it just went away. Water was the worse! Have lost of crystal lite, flavored water, etc. on hand. Mashed potatoes was something else I couldn't eat for a long time. I so looked forward to them and then didn't tolerate them. boohoo..Anyway, potatoes still fill me really fast so make sure you eat your PROTEIN FIRST like you are supposed to.

What was your actvity level in the days and weeks after surgery?

Well, again mine wasn't real typical because of the second surgery and the blood clot. But as soon as I could I walked a lot. the more you move the easier it gets. Rest when you need to. My energy really started to come back about 6 weeks after surgery but i'd been off my feet for a long time. my sister was back to work in two weeks and doing great.

What vitamins and/or dietary supplements have you taken since your surgery?

Calcium citrate, Trinsicon (iron, b12, intrinsic factor), multivitamin. Whey stack chocolate protein powder

What side effects (nausea, vomiting, sleep disturbace, dumping, hair loss etc.) were worse for you? For how long after surgery did they persist? How did you cope with them?

I had all of the above. If I eat too fast or drink with my food I still get sick to my stomach 15 months out. I threw up a lot while learning to eat slow, chew really well and take tiny little bites..(pencil eraser size meats etc.) When I had lost about 50 pounds I found myself with insomnia..That IS NOT like me. I can sleep anytime! I was told it was the change in my hormones etc..and it would pass..It did..I think it only lasted about a month or so. When I started losing hair it was very noticable in my brush, on my pillow, towel etc..I upped my vitamin intake and protein and it stopped. It never became a big issue for me.

What was the worst part about the entire bariatric surgery process?

The WAIT! I'm one of those people that once I make up my mind i want it yesterday! My process only took about 6 months but i know that its typically now about a year or two for most people start to finish. I can't imagine that!

What aftercare support group/program do you have? How helpful/important is this?

I attend two different support groups. One in my hometown and one in Rochester where I had surgery. I also belong to a couple different ones online. I feel they are VERY important because you need to be with others going thru the same thing you have. Your experience can help others too! Now that I'm a year out and have different issues ( I can eat pretty much anything again!) Its even more crucial to be in a good support group so you never gain back what you've lost.

What is your scar like? Is this what you expected?

Lets just say I don't have a bikini belly! LOL My LAP scars are almost invisible, However, my vertical scar that goes from my belly button up about 4.5 inches keloid so its not very pretty. It is getting a lot lighter though so that's a good thing. Of course it isn't what I expected getting a LAP surgery but after an open I feel fortunate its only 4.5 inches long. Some OPENS are much bigger.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have been the typical stair step loser. I would lose 1 week a month and then plateau for 3 weeks. I lost slowly but steadily for about 9 months and then really had to work at it. Take advantage of those early months! I think excercise is the key

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes and so does my family. My kids and husband have noticed when Men look twice now its not because they are saying.. wow, she's fat! I love that part..Sorry but it does make you feel good to be attractive again. My kids love they can put their arms around me for a hug. I wear shorts and hip clothes..(that they had a hard time adjusting to) My 14 year old will say, Mom, that doesn't look like something a MOM should wear". Dont get me wrong. I do not wear Immodest clothes..just bell bottoms, toe rings, etc..they just arent used to their MOM wearing that stuff yet. I even dyed my hair for the first time. I think the biggest difference is when I see a heavy person in the store or on the street and I smile at them and they turn away. I think that hurts the most. Reverse snobbery..Like a thinner person couldn't be nice to them. I know what its like to be there. Most of the people treat you like you are invisible when you are fat, or you're lazy, smelly or something. I was none of those things and having lived it, I know it's an unfair stereotype so I go out of my way to be friendly to EVERYONE. I always have. Now instead of being snubbed by thin people its more the heavy ones that do so. hmmm.